Shema Yisrael
Deuteronomy 6:4 — the central declaration of Jewish faith, prayed twice a day.
Deuteronomy 6:4 (Devarim 6:4)
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Smooth English
"Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one."
How to pronounce it
Sh'ma Yis-ra-EL, A-do-NAI E-lo-HEI-nu, A-do-NAI E-CHAD. Stretch the final word — Jewish tradition draws out echad ("one") to give yourself time to mean it.
A word about יְהוָה
The four letters Yod-Hey-Vav-Hey are the personal name of God. Out of reverence, Jewish readers say Adonai ("my Lord") aloud. Christian Bibles render it "the LORD" in small caps.
Why this verse matters
Jesus called this "the most important commandment" (Mark 12:29). It is recited at morning and evening prayers, taught to children as their first verse, and traditionally on the lips at the moment of death. Six Hebrew words holding the whole Torah's claim about God.